I have heard one young lady, at least, ask for you of late, more than a dozen times." "Indeed! A _young_ lady ?" "Yes; and a very beautiful young lady at that." "In whose eyes can I have found such favor ?" "You have met Miss Clara Weldon ?" "Only once." "But once!" "That is all." "Then it must be a case of love at first sight--at least on the lady's part--for Miss Weldon has asked for you, to my knowledge, not less than a dozen times." "I am certainly flattered at the interest she takes in me." "Well you may be.

I know more than one young man who would sacrifice a good deal to find equal favor in her eyes.

Now see what you have lost by this hiding of your countenance.

And you are not the only loser." Florence, who was more pleased at what he heard than he would like to have acknowledged, promised to come forth from his hiding place and meet the world in a better spirit.

And he did so; being really drawn back into the social circle by the attraction of Miss Weldon.
At his second meeting with this young lady he was still more charmed with her than at first; and she was equally well pleased with him.